Treasure Island Flood Safety

Flood SafetyFlooding in Treasure Island can be caused by heavy rainfall that occurs in short periods of time, as is common during summer thunderstorms, and by tidal surges that accompany coastal storms, tropical storms and hurricanes. Because of the City’s low land elevations and proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, the flood threat is significant. Hurricane tidal surges are the Treasure Island's greatest threat and can cause flooding up to 24 hours before the eye of the storm reaches the coast. The potential for flood losses in Treasure Island always exists when tropical storms and hurricanes hit the area. Some storms, such as the No-Name Storm in March 1993 produced coastal flooding that resulted in significant property damage. Residents need to respect this hazard and be prepared to deal with it accordingly.

FEMA has identified the entire City of Treasure Island as a Special Flood Hazard Area on the Flood Insurance Rate Maps. These maps establish base flood elevations for development within these areas with the lowest permitted habitable flood levels ranging from 10 to 15 feet above sea level. If you think the flood zone identified by your insurance agent is in question, please contact Treasure Island at 727-547-4575, ext. 239.The City of Treasure Island is the community’s primary source of information regarding Flood Insurance Rate Maps.

Are you insured?Property losses due to flooding are not covered under most standard homeowner insurance policies. You can protect your home and its contents with flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program. The NFIP is a federal program established by Congress in 1968 that enables property owners to buy flood insurance at reasonable rates in participating communities. In return, participating communities carry out flood management measures designed to protect life and property from future flooding. Flood insurance is required for properties in the Special Flood Hazard Area in the City of Treasure Island for any federally backed mortgage. National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policies issued or renewed for properties in the Special Flood Hazard Areas of Treasure Island receive a 20% premium discount. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), this discount is the result of the City’s qualifying as Class 6 in the NFIP Flood Insurance Program’s Community Rating System.The City has achieved this rating through activities such as maintenance of drainage facilities, regulation of stormwater discharge and distribution of this information as part of the Community Outreach Program. To find out more about flood insurance for your property and its contents, contact your insurance agent. There is usually a waiting period before a flood insurance policy takes effect, so don’t wait until a storm threatens before you secure the flood insurance you need.

THIS BRIEF FLOOD INSURANCE VIDEO EXPLAINS A LOT.CONTACT COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR PAULA COHEN ABOUT THE NFIP at pcohen@mytreasureisland.org

or call 727-547-4575 ext. 239

Elevation Certificates

The FEMA 2015 Elevation Certificate is now available from FEMA (https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/160). It is a fillable PDF form. For CRS purposes, this form should be used from now on, however, both the 2012 and 2015 Elevation Certificates can be accepted until December 31, 2016. After December 31, 2016, only the 2015 EC form will be accepted.

Fillable PDFs allow surveyors to sign ECs without printing them. We encourage communities to submit these fully-digital ECs to ISO for CRS purposes. This will increase the efficiency of the EC review process.

Permit RequirementsAny development requires a permit from the City’s Building Department which ensures that all development meets the flood regulations.

Such regulations include minimum elevations of living floor areas, flood proofing of certain construction, limitations on placement of fill, and limitations on substantial improvements, additions, and reconstruction.

Following NFIP standards, the City mandates that:

If the cost of any reconstruction, rehabilitation, or addition or other improvements to a building equals or exceeds 50% of the building’s depreciated value, then such work is considered a substantial improvement. The existing building is then required to meet the same standards as a new building.

The NFIP standards relating to substantial improvement are enforced through the development and building permitting process.

Applicants for remodeling or repair of "nonconforming” structures (i.e. buildings which are not elevated to or above the base flood elevation) are required to submit a cost estimate of the improvement and, if necessary, an appraised value of the existing structure, to determine if the work constitutes a substantial improvement.

This means that the older non-conforming properties in the City will eventually come into NFIP compliance and be protected from potential flood damage.

The City’s permitting review process is a necessary component of its participation in the NFIP, making flood insurance available to those who want to protect their property from flood damage. Development that occurs without City permits threatens the City’s continued participation in the NFIP and the ability for residents to obtain flood insurance.

If you see development occurring without permits, protect your rights and immediately contact the City at (727) 547-4575 ext. 239